It was freshmen orientation at the state college.

An entire weekend staying in a dorm room and getting acclimated to college life.

What was I doing?

I found the party kids and we skipped out.

Someone had those little bottles of booze so we started there.. you can imagine how the rest of the weekend went...

It was probably stupid and I wouldn't recommend it to my daughter!

BUT, it's part of my story. A big part of my journey.

I had no interest in school. NONE.

It did nothing for my soul.

I was not born to follow the rules and do what everyone else is doing.

When people asked me what I wanted to be, I had no idea.

Well, I like to write..

All I knew was school was pointless for me.. my soul needed something else..

So what does this have to do with YOU? And what does it have to do with Strength Training?

I'm glad you asked.

Since I've become a personal trainer I have heard you have to do things a certain way.

Before I even started on this path I followed all the great coaches and trainers I could find. I read everything they wrote.

I was going to learn from the best and do what they did. If it worked for them, it would work for me.

All I had to do was show up, work my tail off and I would succeed...

Except that's not entirely true.

Take my workout this morning for instance.

Today is a rest day. Meaning no heavy lifting.

Some coaches said you need to stay out of the gym those days. Do something else. Don't even think about the gym. Rest and recover... etc..

But over the years I found I got better results if I went into the gym and did SOMETHING.

I refined what that SOMETHING is.. it could be light sled dragging, loaded carries, bodyweight exercises, walking and/or cycling...

The details aren't as important as the big picture. I NEEDED to get into the gym on those "rest days"... to move.

Not just to move (which IS important) but even MORE important to me was the daily habit of taking action on this habit.

Making it happen, even when you don't want to.

After a few days of heavy lifting, I'm often stiff, sore, fatigued.. but that does not mean I should just come home after work and lay on the couch watching tv all night.

Rest is crucial to grow. Yes.

BUT, for the mental side I crave the push.. the sweat, the exertion, knowing that I did something EACH and EVERY day that is good for my physical existence.

So I had to rebel against what I read about.

This is only one example, I've done this in many areas of my life.

When you've been a rebel all your life,  don't stop now!

Go within. Listen. What does your inner self tell you that you need?

It's not what the majority are doing.

Never was and never will be.

If you're like me, you need to follow your own path.

I am supposed to use a photo for each blog post. Don't care.

I'm supposed to use keywords and optimize my website for SEO. zzzzzzz..

I need to find a target audience and pick a niche to stand out on the internet.. don't care.

I'm going to do things my way. The way I know is right for me and those people who feel my vibe.

When you work with a coach or trainer you aren't just seeking out their knowledge and experience.. you want to be closer to their energy.. their vibe.. the light they bring from within out into the darkness... 

I'll never fit into any mold..

Like at my last job when I started, my boss asked me what I saw myself doing in video production and I had no idea.. I didn't want a "job" or a specific "position"... I wanted to write.. create.. tell stories.. make awesome imagery to go along with great sounds and stories..

Often in life there isn't a path laid out that matches what your heart desires.. so you gotta blaze your own trail.

That's what I've always wanted to do.. it's been challenging.. frustrating.. confusing.. it's scary to put yourself out there and know that some people won't agree or understand..

But you have to do it if you want to be true to yourself.

If there's one thing I want you to get from this post it's this:

stay true to yourself.. listen to  that inner voice.. you are not just average.. you are not just another cog in the machine..

You have to blaze your own trail.. screw the rules.. they aren't made for you anyway.

Train when you want, how you want.

So and so says only train 3 days but you wanna train 5? Good, GO FOR IT!

Become the strongest you possible.

You can't do that by trying to be like someone else.

I've learned that the hard way but I realize now what I've kinda known all along... I am a rebel and a leader and I ABSOLUTELY MUST stick to my truth that comes from my heart and soul.

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